Does the ownership of the admitting hospital make a difference? Outcomes and process of care of Medicare beneficiaries admitted with acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND: Concerns have been expressed about quality of for-profit hospitals and their use of expensive technologies. OBJECTIVE: To determine differences in mortality after admission for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and in the use of low- and high-tech services for AMI among for-profit, public, and private nonprofit hospitals. STUDY DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: Cooperative Cardiovascular Project data for 129,092 Medicare patients admitted for AMI from 1994 to 1995. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mortality at 30 days and 1 year postadmission; use of aspirin, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, beta-blockers at discharge, thrombolytic therapy, catheterization, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) compared by ownership. RESULTS: Mortality rates at 30 days and at 1 year at for-profit hospitals were no different from those at public and private nonprofit hospitals. Without patient illness variables, nonprofit hospitals had lower mortality rates at 30 days (relative risk [RR], 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.91-0.99) and at 1 year (RR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.93-0.99) than did for-profit hospitals, but there was no difference in mortality between public and for-profit hospitals. Beneficiaries at nonprofit hospitals were more likely to receive aspirin (RR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.03-1.05) and ACE inhibitors (RR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.02-1.08) than at for-profit hospitals, but had lower rates of PTCA (RR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.86-0.96) and CABG (RR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.86-1.00). CONCLUSIONS: Although outcomes did not vary by ownership, for-profit hospitals were more likely to use expensive, high-tech procedures. This pattern appears to be the result of for-profit hospitals' propensity to locate in areas with demand for high-tech care for AMI.     

Path Analysis Modeling Indicates Free Transport Increases Ambulance Use for Minor Indications

Introduction. Clinically unnecessary ambulance transport is increasing, diverting limited resources from patients needing ambulance transport. It was anecdotally observed that inappropriate ambulance use increased after abolition of a direct patient cost for ambulance transport. Hypothesis. In July 2003, direct patient fees were abolished in favor of a universally applied ambulance levy, potentially leading to increased ambulance use by patients with low illness acuity andadmission rates. Methods. The influence of age, illness acuity, andneed for admission on ambulance use was assessed for 55,397 emergency department attendances in 2002 and2004. Ambulance users were compared with nonusers in both years andattendances for 2002 compared with 2004 using chi-square test for two groups. Logistic regression provided a multivariate model leading to ambulance use. Path analysis modeling to assess interrelationships between factors associated with ambulance use was developed. Results. Ambulance users in both years were older, had more acute illness, andhad greater need for admission compared with nonusers. The odds ratio (OR) of arrival by ambulance in 2004 compared with 2002 was 1.14 (95% confidence interval, [CI], 1.12 to 1.17). In 2002, ambulance users were older (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.40 to 1.43), were more likely to need admission (OR, 2.28; 95% CI, 2.16 to 2.4) andhad higher illness acuity (OR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.94 to 2.09). There was a negative correlation between 2004 andillness acuity. Conclusions. Ambulance use increased in 2004 after patient transport fees were abolished. Increased use was associated with decreased age, clinical acuity, andadmission need. Abolishing direct patient cost stimulates ambulance use, potentially including inappropriate transport. Path analysis to assess the effect of changed funding on ambulance use could be used to the influence of other locally relevant factors contributing to ambulance use.     

Paramedic-Initiated Home Care Referrals and Use of Home Care and Emergency Medical Services

Objective: We examined the association between paramedic-initiated home care referrals and utilization of home care, 9-1-1, and Emergency Department (ED) services. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of individuals who received a paramedic-initiated home care referral after a 9-1-1 call between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2012 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Home care, 9-1-1, and ED utilization were compared in the 6 months before and after home care referral. Nonparametric longitudinal regression was performed to assess changes in hours of home care service use and zero-inflated Poisson regression was performed to assess changes in the number of 9-1-1 calls and ambulance transports to ED. Results: During the 24-month study period, 2,382 individuals received a paramedic-initiated home care referral. After excluding individuals who died, were hospitalized, or were admitted to a nursing home, the final study cohort was 1,851. The proportion of the study population receiving home care services increased from 18.2% to 42.5% after referral, representing 450 additional people receiving services. In longitudinal regression analysis, there was an increase of 17.4 hours in total services per person in the six months after referral (95% CI: 1.7–33.1, p = 0.03). The mean number of 9-1-1 calls per person was 1.44 (SD 9.58) before home care referral and 1.20 (SD 7.04) after home care referral in the overall study cohort. This represented a 10% reduction in 9-1-1 calls (95% CI: 7–13%, p < 0.001) in Poisson regression analysis. The mean number of ambulance transports to ED per person was 0.91 (SD 8.90) before home care referral and 0.79 (SD 6.27) after home care referral, representing a 7% reduction (95% CI: 3–11%, p < 0.001) in Poisson regression analysis. When only the participants with complete paramedic and home care records were included in the analysis, the reductions in 9-1-1 calls and ambulance transports to ED were attenuated but remained statistically significant. Conclusions: Paramedic-initiated home care referrals in Toronto were associated with improved access to and use of home care services and may have been associated with reduced 9-1-1 calls and ambulance transports to ED.     

Clinical and Economic Factors Associated with Ambulance Use to the Emergency Department

Background: Concern about ambulance diversion and emergency department (ED) overcrowding has increased scrutiny of ambulance use. Knowledge is limited, however, about clinical and economic factors associated with ambulance use compared to other arrival methods. Objectives: To compare clinical and economic factors associated with different arrival methods at a large, urban, academic hospital ED. Methods: This was a retrospective, cross‐sectional study of all patients seen during 2001 (N= 80,209) at an urban academic hospital ED. Data were obtained from hospital clinical and financial records. Outcomes included acuity and severity level, primary complaint, medical diagnosis, disposition, payment, length of stay, costs, and mode of arrival (bus, car, air‐medical transport, walk‐in, or ambulance). Multivariate logistic regression identified independent factors associated with ambulance use. Results: In multivariate analysis, factors associated with ambulance use included: triage acuity A (resuscitation) (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 51.3; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 33.1 to 79.6) or B (emergent) (OR, 9.2; 95% CI = 6.1 to 13.7), Diagnosis Related Group severity level 4 (most severe) (OR, 1.4; 95% CI = 1.2 to 1.8), died (OR, 3.8; 95% CI = 1.5 to 9.0), hospital intensive care unit/operating room admission (OR, 1.9; 95% CI = 1.6 to 2.1), motor vehicle crash (OR, 7.1; 95% CI = 6.4 to 7.9), gunshot/stab wound (OR, 2.1; 95% CI = 1.5 to 2.8), fell 0–10 ft (OR, 2.0; 95% CI = 1.8 to 2.3). Medicaid Traditional (OR, 2.0; 95% CI = 1.4 to 2.4), Medicare Traditional (OR, 1.8; 95% CI = 1.7 to 2.1), arrived weekday midnight–8 AM (OR, 2.0; 95% CI = 1.8 to 2.1), and age ≥65 years (OR, 1.3; 95% CI = 1.2 to 1.5). Conclusions: Ambulance use was related to severity of injury or illness, age, arrival time, and payer status. Patients arriving by ambulance were more likely to be acutely sick and severely injured and had longer ED length of stay and higher average costs, but they were less likely to have private managed care or to leave the ED against medical advice, compared to patients arriving by independent means.     

Assessing health system provision of adolescent preventive services: the Young Adult Health Care Survey

BACKGROUND: Adolescents often do not receive recommended preventive counseling and screening services. Few measures are available to assess health care system performance in this area. OBJECTIVE: Develop a reliable, valid, and feasible method for measuring adherence to consensus guidelines for adolescent preventive counseling and screening services. METHODS: The 45-item Young Adult Health Care Survey (YAHCS) was tested with a diverse group of commercially and publicly insured adolescents enrolled in managed care organizations (n = 4,060). Psychometric, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were conducted to assess the reliability, validity, and patterns of variation in the preventive care measurement scales derived from the YAHCS. RESULTS: YAHCS measurement scales demonstrated strong construct validity (mean factor loading = 0.64) and reliability (mean Cronbach's alpha = 0.77). Average preventive counseling and screening scores ranged from 18.2% for discussing risky behavior topics to 50.4% for discussing diet, weight, and exercise topics. Adolescent demographic, health care use, and payer factors explained a small amount of variation across adolescent scores on YACHS scales (mean R2 = 0.086). Females and older teens were more likely to report private time with providers and counseling and screening on topics related to sex. Overall, the odds of receiving preventive counseling and screening for adolescents who reported having private time with providers, engaging in risky behaviors, or both were higher than for adolescents who did not meet privately or report risky behaviors (private visit OR, 3.60; 95% CI, 2.91-4.47; risky behaviors OR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.62-2.52). CONCLUSIONS: The YAHCS provides a feasible, reliable, and valid method for assessing adherence to adolescent preventive services guidelines. It differentiates among varied aspects of preventive care provided to adolescents and is promising as a potential measure of health plan and provider quality. Improved performance on the YAHCS would indicate progress toward the achievement of Healthy People 2010 goals.     

Same provider,different location: Variation in patient satisfaction scores between freestanding and hospital-based emergency departments

BackgroundPatient satisfaction scores have become quality benchmarks for hospitals, are publicly reported, and are often tied to financial incentives. We determined whether patient satisfaction scores for individual emergency medicine providers varied according to the clinical setting.MethodsWe obtained patient satisfaction survey results from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018 for patients treated at 6 freestanding (FED) and 11 hospital-based emergency departments (HBED). Differences in mean score by ED facility were tested for significance. Mean score differences with 95% confidence intervals are presented. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to predict the odds of receiving different scores by type of ED facility and adjusted for patient and provider demographics and ED length of stay.ResultsSixty-six providers with 3743 total surveys were analyzed: FED (n = 1974) and HBED (n = 1769). Overall satisfaction scores were higher for FED compared to HBED surveys 1.13 [95% CI, 1.0–1.3]. In multivariable logistic regression, we found patients seen at the FEDs were 42% more likely to rate providers courtesy as “very good” compared to patients seen at a HBED [OR: 1.42, 95% CI (0.94–2.15)]. Similarly, patients from FEDs showed increased likelihood to rate providers as “very good” for keeping patients informed about treatment [OR: 1.70, 95% CI (1.21–2.39)], took time to listen to patients [OR: 1.66, 95% CI (0.72–1.60)] and concerned for patient's comfort [OR: 1.54, 95% CI (1.12–2.12)].ConclusionIndividual providers, who practice at both types of facilities, consistently received higher satisfaction ratings from patients at FEDs compared to HBEDs.     

Is it Appropriate for Patients to be Discharged at the Scene by Paramedics?

Background: Outcomes of patients who are discharged at the scene by paramedics are not fully understood. Objective: We aimed to describe the risk of re-presentation and/or death in prehospital patients discharged at the scene. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using linked ambulance, emergency department (ED), and death data. We compared outcomes in patients who were discharged at the scene by paramedics with those who were transported to ED by paramedics and then discharged from ED between January 1 and December 31, 2013 in metropolitan Perth, Western Australia. Occurrences of subsequent ambulance requests, ED attendance, hospital admission and death were compared between those discharged at the scene and those discharged from ED. Results: There were 47,330 patients during the study period, of whom 19,732 and 27,598 patients were discharged at the scene and from ED, respectively. Compared to those discharged from ED, those discharged at the scene were more likely to subsequently: request an ambulance (6.1% vs. 1.8%, adjusted odds ratio [adj OR] 3.4; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.0–3.9), attend ED (4.6% vs. 1.4%, adj OR 3.3; 95% CI 2.8–3.8), be admitted to hospital (3.3% vs. 0.8%, adj OR 4.2; 95% CI 3.4–5.1). Those discharged at the scene tended towards an increased likelihood of death (0.2% vs. 0.1%, adj OR 1.8; 95% CI 0.99–3.2) within 24 hours of discharge compared to those discharged from ED. Conclusion: Patients attended by paramedics who were discharged at the scene had more subsequent events than those who were transported to and discharged from ED. Further consideration needs to be given to who is suitable to be discharged at the scene by paramedics.     

Review article: Outcomes of patients who are not transported following ambulance attendance: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

The aim of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to evaluate the outcomes of patients who are not transported to hospital following ambulance attendance. A database search was conducted using PubMed, Medline, Embase, CINAHL and Cochrane Library. Studies were included if they analysed the outcomes of patients who were not transported following ambulance attendance. The primary outcome of this review was subsequent presentation to an ED following a non‐transport decision. Secondary outcome measures included hospital admission, subsequent presentation to alternative service provider (e.g. private physician), and death at follow up. The search yielded 1953 non‐duplicate articles, of which 10 met the inclusion criteria. Three studies specified that the non‐transport decision was emergency medical services (EMS)‐initiated, seven studies did not specify. Meta‐analysis found substantial heterogeneity between estimates (I² >50%) that was likely because of differences in study design, length of follow up, patient demographic and sample size. Between 5% and 46% (pooled estimate 21%; 95% CI 11–31%) of non‐transport patients subsequently presented to ED. Few (pooled estimate 8%; 95% CI 5–12%) EMS‐initiated non‐transport patients were admitted to hospital compared to the unspecified group (pooled estimate 40%; 95% CI 7–72%). Mortality rates were low across included studies. Studies found varying estimates for the proportion of patients discharged at the scene that subsequently presented to ED. Few patients were admitted to hospital when the non‐transport decision was initiated by EMS, indicating EMS triage is a relatively safe practice. More research is needed to elucidate the context of non‐transport decisions and improve access to alternative pathways.     

Patient Characteristics and Temporal Trends in Police Transport of Blunt Trauma Patients: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study

Background: Police transport (PT) of penetrating trauma patients has the potential to decrease prehospital times for patients with life-threatening hemorrhage and is part of official policy in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We hypothesized that rates of PT of bluntly injured patients have increased over the past decade. Methods: We used Pennsylvania Trauma Outcomes Study registry data from 2006–15 to identify bluntly injured adult patients transported to all 8 trauma centers in Philadelphia. PT was compared to ambulance transport, excluding transfers, burn patients, and private transport. We compared demographics, mechanism, and injury outcomes between PT and ambulance transport patients and used multivariable logistic regression to identify independent predictors of PT. We also identified physiological indicators and injury patterns that might have benefitted from prehospital intervention by EMS. Results: Of 28 897 bluntly injured patients, 339 (1.2%) were transported by police and 28 558 (98.8%) by ambulance. Blunt trauma accounted for 11% of PT and penetrating trauma for 89%. PT patients were younger, more likely to be male, and more likely to be African American or Asian and were more often injured by assault or motor vehicle crash. There were no significant differences presenting physiology between PT and EMS patients. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, male sex (OR 1.89, 95%CI 1.40–2.55), African American race (OR 1.71 95%CI 1.34–2.18), and Asian race (OR 2.25, 95%CI 1.22–4.14) were independently associated with PT. Controlling for injury severity and physiology, there was no significant difference in mortality between PT and EMS. Overall, 64% of PT patients had a condition that might have benefited from prehospital intervention such as supplemental oxygen for brain injury or spine stabilization for vertebral fractures. Conclusions: PT affects a small minority of blunt trauma patients, and did not appear associated with higher mortality. However, PT patients included many who might have benefited from proven, prehospital intervention. Clinicians, EMS providers, and law enforcement should collaborate to optimize use of PT within the trauma system.     

Cardiac arrest in public locations-An independent predictor for better outcome?

OBJECTIVE: Outcome after cardiac arrest is known to be influenced by immediate access to resuscitation. We aimed to analyse the location of arrest in relation to the prognostic value for outcome. DESIGN: Retrospective review from prospective databases (ambulance routine documentation database and emergency department database on patients treated for cardiac arrest). Setting: Vienna (1.7 million inhabitants) ambulance service and tertiary care facility (university clinics). Patients: Two independent cohorts: (1) a population-based cohort of patients who were treated for cardiac arrest by the municipal ambulance service outside the hospital. The endpoint in this group was survival to hospital admission with spontaneous circulation. (2) A cohort of patients who were admitted to the emergency department after successful out of hospital resuscitation. The endpoint in this group was survival to 6 months with good neurological status (best Cerebral Performance Category 1 or 2 within 6 months). MEASUREMENTS: We analysed whether the location of non-traumatic adult out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (public versus private place) was a predictor for good outcome. RESULTS: Patients who had cardiac arrest in a public location were more likely to arrive in hospital alive (39% versus 31%, crude OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.001-1.975, p=0.049) and were more likely to have a good neurological outcome after 6 months (35% versus 25%, crude OR 1.65, adjusted OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.07-2.36, p=0.023), compared to patients who had cardiac arrest in a non-public location. CONCLUSION: Cardiac arrest in a public location is independently associated with a better outcome.     

Predictors of demand for emergency prehospital care: an Australian study

INTRODUCTION: Determining the predictors of demand for emergency prehospital care can assist ambulance services in undertaking policy and planning activities. HYPOTHESIS: Demand for prehospital care can be explained by demographic, health status, and economic determinants. METHODS: The study used a cross-sectional design to investigate the association of demographic, health status, and insurance factors with the use of prehospital, ambulance care. Core data items including age, gender, marital status, country of origin, triage score, diagnosis, time of presentation, method of arrival, and patient disposition were collected for every patient who presented at the Emergency Department of the study hospital over a four-month period. Ambulance usage was analysed using Poisson regression. RESULTS: For the 10,229 patients surveyed, only a small number were triaged as having the highest level of urgent medical need (0.8%), but the majority of these used prehospital emergency medical care (90.2%). Predictors of ambulance use included age > 65 years (Prevalence Ratio [PR] = 2.92; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.35-3.63), being married or in a de-facto relationship (PR = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.60-0.79) or divorced, separated, or widowed (PR = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.70-0.98), triage score level 1 or 2 (PR = 1.95; 95% CI: 1.68-2.28), or triage score level 3 (PR = 1.54; 95% CI: 1.38-1.72), diagnosis involving either mental (PR = 4.29; 95% CI: 1.84-10.01), nervous (PR = 2.74; 95% CI: 1.19-6.31) or trauma (PR = 2.33; 95% CI: 1.03-5.27) conditions, and insurance status (PR = 1.54; 95% CI: 1.40-1.71). Ethnicity, gender, and time of day were not associated with usage. CONCLUSION: Demand for ambulance services can be predicted by a number of demographic, medical status, and insurance variables. Age and triage levels are key influences on demand for ambulance services. Ambulance insurance status provides an economic incentive to use ambulance services regardless of the urgency of the medical condition.     

Characteristics and Outcomes of Blood Product Transfusion During Critical Care Transport

Background: Civilian out-of-hospital transfusions have not been adequately studied. This study seeks to characterize patients receiving out-of-hospital blood product transfusion during critical care transport. Study Design and Methods: We studied patients transported by a regional critical care air-medical service who received blood products during transport. This service carries two units of uncrossmatched packed Red Blood Cells (pRBCs) on every transport in addition to blood obtained from referring facilities. The pRBC are administered according to a protocol for the treatment of hemorrhagic shock or based on medical command physician order. Transfusion amount was categorized into three groups based on the volume transfused (<350 mL, 350–700 mL, >700 mL). The association between prehospital transfusion and in-hospital outcomes (mortality, subsequent blood transfusion and emergent surgery) was estimated using logistic regression models, controlling for age, first systolic blood pressure, first heart rate, Glasgow Coma Score, time of transfer, and length of hospital admission. Results: Among the 1,440 critical care transports with transfusions examined, 81% were for medical patients, being gastrointestinal hemorrhage the most common indication (26%, CI 24–28%). pRBC transfusions were associated with emergent surgery (OR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.31–2.52) and in-hospital transfusions (OR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.46–2.76). Those with transfusions >700 mL were associated with emergent surgery (OR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.10–2.92) and mortality (OR = 2.11; 95% CI = 1.21–3.69). Conclusions: In this sample, the majority of patients receiving blood products during air-medical transport were transfused for medic conditions; gastrointestinal hemorrhage was the most common chief complaint. The pRBC transfusions were associated with emergent surgery and in-hospital transfusion. Transfusions of >700 mL were associated with mortality.     

Prompt Advanced Life Support Improves Survival from Ventricular Fibrillation

Objective. To determine whether the interval between the arrival of basic life support (BLS) providers and the arrival of advanced life support (ALS) providers is associated with patient outcome after cardiac arrest. Methods. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all witnessed, out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation (VF) cardiac arrests between January 1, 1991, and December 31, 2007. Eligible patients (n = 1,781) received full resuscitation efforts from both BLS and ALS providers. Results. The BLS-to-ALS arrival interval was a significant predictor of survival to hospital discharge (odds ratio [OR] 0.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.93–0.99); the likelihood of survival decreased by 4% for every minute that ALS arrival was delayed following BLS arrival. Other significant predictors of survival were whether the arrest occurred in public (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.19–1.85), whether a bystander administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.07–1.68), and the interval between the 9-1-1 call and BLS arrival (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.73–0.83). Conclusions. We found that a shorter BLS-to-ALS arrival interval increased the likelihood of survival to hospital discharge after a witnessed, out-of-hospital VF cardiac arrest. We conclude that ALS interventions may provide additional benefits over BLS interventions alone when utilized in a well-established, two-tiered emergency medical services (EMS) system already optimized for rapid defibrillation. The highest priorities in any EMS system should still be early CPR and early defibrillation, but timely ALS services can supplement these crucial interventions.     

Outcomes for Patients Who Contact the Emergency Ambulance Service and Are Not Transported to the Emergency Department: A Data Linkage Study

Objectives: Emergency ambulance services do not transport all patients to hospital. International literature reports non-transport rates ranging from 3.7–93.7%. In 2017, 38% of the 11 million calls received by ambulance services in England were attended by ambulance but not transported to an Emergency Department (ED). A further 10% received clinical advice over the telephone. Little is known about what happens to patients following a non-transport decision. We aimed to investigate what happens to patients following an emergency ambulance telephone call that resulted in a non-transport decision, using a linked routine data-set. Methods: Six-months individual patient level data from one ambulance service in England, linked with Hospital Episode Statistics and national mortality data, were used to identify subsequent health events (ambulance re-contact, ED attendance, hospital admission, death) within 3 days (primary analysis) and 7 days (secondary analysis) of an ambulance call ending in non-transport to hospital. Non-clinical staff used a priority dispatch system e.g. Medical Priority Dispatch System to prioritize calls for ambulance dispatch. Non-transport to ED was determined by ambulance crew members at scene or clinicians at the emergency operating center when an ambulance was not dispatched (telephone advice). Results: The data linkage rate was 85% for patients who were discharged at scene (43,108/50,894). After removal of deaths associated with end of life care (N?=?312), 9% (3,861/42,796) re-contacted the ambulance service, 12.6% (5,412/42,796) attended ED, 6.3% (2,694/42,796) were admitted to hospital, and 0.3% (129/42,796) died within 3 days of the call. Rates were higher for events occurring within 7 days. For example, 12% re-contacted the ambulance service, 16.1% attended ED, 9.3% were admitted to hospital, and 0.5% died. The linkage rate for telephone advice calls was low because ambulance services record less information about these patients (24% 2,514/10,634). A sensitivity analysis identified a range of subsequent event rates: 2.5–10.5% of patients were admitted to hospital and 0.06–0.24% of patient died within 3 days of the call. Conclusions: Most non-transported patients did not have subsequent health events. Deaths after non-transport are an infrequent event that could be selected for more detailed review of individual cases, to facilitate learning and improvement.     

Results of an evaluation of the effectiveness of triage and direct transportation to minor injuries units by ambulance crews

Methods: Ambulance crews in two services were asked to transport appropriate patients to MIU during randomly selected weeks of one year. During all other weeks they were to treat such patients according to normal practice. Patients were followed up through ambulance service, hospital and/or MIU records, and by postal questionnaire. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with crews (n = 15). Cases transferred from MIU to accident and emergency (A&E) were reviewed.

Results: 41 intervention cluster patients attended MIU, 303 attended A&E, 65 were not conveyed. Thirty seven control cluster patients attended MIU, 327 attended A&E, 61 stayed at scene. Because of low study design compliance, outcomes of patients taken to MIU were compared with those taken to A&E, adjusted for case mix. MIU patients were 7.2 times as likely to rate their care as excellent (95% CI 1.99 to 25.8). Ambulance service job-cycle time and time in unit were shorter for MIU patients (-7.8, 95% CI -11.5 to -4.1); (-222.7, 95%CI -331.9 to -123.5). Crews cited patient and operational factors as inhibiting MIU use; and location, service, patient choice, job-cycle time, and handover as encouraging their use. Of seven patients transferred by ambulance from MIU to A&E, medical reviewers judged that three had not met the protocol for conveyance to MIU. No patients were judged to have suffered adverse consequences.

Conclusions: MIUs were only used for a small proportion of eligible patients. When they were used, patients and the ambulance service benefited.

     

Patient and clinician factors associated with prehospital pain treatment and outcomes: cross sectional study

Objective

We aimed to identify how patient (age, sex, condition) and paramedic factors (sex, role) affected prehospital analgesic administration and pain alleviation.

U SE OF E MERGENCY M EDICAL S ERVICES FOR S USPECTED A CUTE C ARDIAC I SCHEMIA AMONG D EMOGRAPHIC AND C LINICAL P ATIENT S UBGROUPS : T HE REACT T RIAL

Objective. Barriers to the use of emergency medical services (EMS) and patient delay in seeking care can limit the receipt or effectiveness of reperfusion therapies and the availability of prehospital emergency cardiac care. The Rapid Early Action for Coronary Treatment (REACT) trial was designed to determine the impact of a community intervention on use of EMS among demographic and clinical subgroups of patients with suspected acute cardiac ischemia. Methods. A randomized controlled community trial was conducted in 20 pair-matched communities in the United States. One community from each pair received an 18-month, multicomponent community education program. Data were collected at 44 participating hospitals during a four-month baseline period and throughout the 18-month trial, using medical record abstracts to collect information on mode of transport to the hospital and other sociodemographic and clinical variables. Eligible patients were persons aged ≥30 years presenting with chest pain or discomfort to emergency departments (EDs) who were admitted and discharged with a cardiac-related diagnoses (ICD 410-414, 427-429, 440, 786.9). Results. The net change in the odds of EMS use was an increase of 34% in intervention compared with control communities [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.34, 95% CI 1.07–1.67]. We observed greater increases in the odds of EMS use among patients who had chronic or other cardiac diagnoses (adjusted OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.18–1.99, and adjusted OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.17–1.97, respectively) than in those diagnosed as having acute ischemia (adjusted OR 1.14, 95% CI 0.91-1.44). We observed greater increases in odds of EMS use in those who were retired (adjusted OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.29–2.04) or had systolic blood pressure (SBP) at or below 160?mm Hg upon presentation to the ED (adjusted OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.26–1.91 for SBP 100-160 mm Hg; 1.61, 95% CI 0.88–2.97 for SBP <100?mm Hg). Conclusions. The REACT trial demonstrated a significant impact on the use of EMS among patients admitted to the hospital for suspected acute myocardial infarction, with greater increases among patients with chronic or other cardiac ICD-9 discharge diagnoses, those presenting with lower SBP, and retired persons.     

Regulating palliative care: the case of hospice

Palliative care services provided to patients and families vary substantially across hospices. Literature suggests regulation can act as a standardizing force in health care delivery. However, little is known about the effect of regulation on the delivery of palliative care in hospice and whether its effect differs for different types of hospice providers. We estimated the association between regulation, defined as Medicare hospice certification, and the delivery of palliative care in hospice using a nationally representative data set of 9,409 patients from 2,066 hospices surveyed in the National Home and Hospice Care Survey, 1992-2000. Using multivariable analysis, we found Medicare hospice certification was associated with a significantly broader range of services provided to patients (odds ratio [OR]=2.45; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16, 5.17). This effect was significantly more pronounced (P-value for interaction=0.001) among for-profit hospices (OR=15.24; 95% CI: 4.06, 57.17) than among nonprofit hospices (OR=1.53; 95% CI: 0.75, 3.14). The effect of ownership on certification differences was most apparent for the provision of skilled nursing (prevalence difference in difference=52.4%), spiritual care (prevalence difference in difference=49.6%), and social services (prevalence difference in difference=48.1%). This study is the first to demonstrate the substantial association between the regulation of hospices and the provision of a multidisciplinary range of services to patients and families. It provides valuable insights regarding the potential role of regulation in standardizing the quality of palliative care across the increasingly diverse palliative care programs developing outside of hospice.     

Variability of Uncrossmatched Blood Use by Helicopter EMS Programs in the United States

Study Objective: Some helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) maintain an independent supply of blood for use during transport, although practice is variable and not well described. We aimed to characterize the blood-carrying practices by HEMS programs across the United States. Methods: Online surveys were sent to the leadership of the 261 HEMS programs nationwide listed in the 2011 Atlas and Database of Air Medical Services (ADAMS) database. We examined blood-carrying practices in aggregate, including typical transport time, proportion of scene transports, and local population density. A GIS (Geographic Information System) and multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the impact of characteristics of local practice on each program's decision to carry blood. Results: A total of 235 (91%) programs responded to the survey, representing 857 of the 929 (92.2%) HEMS rotor wing aircraft nationwide. Fifty-nine (25.3%) programs independently carried blood. A higher proportion of interfacility transports (OR 1.023; 95% CI 1.010–1.036) and decreased local population density (OR 1.006; 95% CI 1.001–1.011) were associated with increased odds of carrying blood. Transport time (OR 1.006; 95% CI 0.991–1.020) and number of transports (OR 1.000; CI 1.000–1.000) were not associated with a program's blood carrying practices. There was no effect of local practices on a program's decision to carry blood (OR 1.002; 95% CI 0.980–1.026). Conclusion: There is great variability in the utilization of blood by HEMS programs in the United States. Programs that serve more rural areas and programs with a larger percentage of interfacility transports are more likely to independently carry blood.     

Predictors of Nontransport of Older Fallers Who Receive Ambulance Care

Abstract

Objectives. To identify patient, clinical, and operational factors associated with nontransport of older people who have fallen and received ambulance care; and to develop a nontransport prediction tool that could be utilized during the dispatch process to rationalize allocation of emergency ambulance resources. Methods. The study was a planned subanalysis using data collected during a prospective observational cohort study of nonconsecutive emergency responses to older people aged 65 years or more who had fallen between October 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011. The data consisted of routinely collected ambulance dispatch and clinical records, combined with prospectively collected fall-specific information. Missing data were managed using multiple imputation. Multivariate logistic regression modeling was undertaken to identify predictors of nontransport. Results are described for original and imputated data sets, presented as odds ratios (OR) with 95%CI (confidence interval). Receiver operating curve (ROC) statistics were generated, with model discrimination determined by the area under the curve (AUC). Results. There were 1,484 cases eligible for this subanalysis of which 419 (28.2%) were recorded as nontransport. Multivariate regression including dispatch and clinical variables identified a 6-item final model. Younger age group, nonurgent response priority, and presence of a personal alarm were predictors of nontransport, along with clinical variables, including normal vital signs, absence of injury, and unchanged functional status post-fall. The AUC was 0.88 (95% CI 0.86–0.90; p < 0.0001) (imputed data AUC 0.86 (95% CI 0.84–0.88)). Multivariate modeling of dispatch variables only identified a 3-item final model, which included response nonurgent response priority, younger age, and the presence of a personal alarm. The AUC was 0.68 (95% CI 0.64–0.71; p < 0.0001) (imputed data AUC 0.69 (95% CI 0.66–0.72)). Conclusion. In this population of confirmed older fallers attended to by paramedics, determination of the prehospital transport outcome is greatly influenced by on-scene findings resulting from paramedic assessment. The presence of new pain, abnormal physiology, and altered function post-fall were strongly associated with increased odds of transport. Conversely the presence of a personal alarm and allocation of a nonurgent dispatch priority increased the odds of nontransport. Accurate discrimination between older fallers who were and were not transported using dispatch data only was not possible.